The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported on Sunday, October 18, that a tugboat had been attacked in waters northeast of Khor Fakkan, off the UAE’s east coast. According to UKMTO, the vessel was travelling south when it was struck by two unidentified projectiles. One person sustained minor injuries and the tugboat was damaged, but it was able to continue its journey.

According to UKMTO warning number 177-26, the incident occurred in the Gulf of Oman, northeast of Khor Fakkan port in the emirate of Sharjah. However, the precise coordinates and time of the attack have not yet been disclosed.

The warning was issued at 04:26 GMT, or 8:26am UAE time. Authorities are investigating the incident, and vessels transiting the area have been advised to proceed with caution and report any suspicious activity.

Reuters also reported on Sunday, citing UKMTO, that the tugboat had been damaged and one person injured. Maritime security specialist Clearwater Dynamics also recorded the incident on its security alert system.

The tugboat’s name, International Maritime Organization (IMO) number, flag state, owner and operator have not yet been disclosed. No further information has been released about the injured person, the extent of the damage to the vessel or the type of projectiles used.

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The perpetrator of the attack remains unknown, and no group or country has claimed responsibility. British authorities have not attributed the attack to any specific party.

The incident comes after several oil tankers and commercial vessels were attacked in recent days in the Strait of Hormuz, the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. The rise in such attacks has heightened concerns over the security of regional shipping routes.

Khor Fakkan is one of the UAE’s key commercial ports on the Gulf of Oman coast. Its location outside the Strait of Hormuz gives it particular importance for maritime transport and alternative regional trade routes.

However, it remains unclear whether the targeted tugboat was connected to operations at Khor Fakkan port or was attacked while merely passing through nearby waters.

The attack on the tugboat is the latest reported incident involving a commercial vessel in waters near the UAE. Unlike many recent attacks on oil tankers and container ships, this incident targeted a tugboat.